Guinea pigs: a fact sheet on the real four
Rocky, Mr. Grey, Toffy and Mojito are guinea pigs, and real ones at that. Here's what you should know about guinea pigs, and how we do things with our four. The general facts come from the German Animal Welfare Federation (Deutscher Tierschutzbund).
The high plains and scrublands of the Andes in South America. There, guinea pigs live in small groups of three to ten animals.
The first guinea pigs came to Europe with sailors about 400 years ago and quickly became popular pets.
About six to eight years.
Adults are about 25 to 35 centimeters long (about 10 to 14 inches). Females weigh 700 to 900 grams (about 1.5 to 2 pounds), males 900 to 1,200 grams (about 2 to 2.6 pounds).
Guinea pigs are social animals and should only be kept in groups. A rabbit is no substitute for another guinea pig.
There must always be good hay, plus fresh greens every day, like grasses, herbs, lettuce and vegetables. Their teeth grow their whole life long and are worn down by lots of chewing.
Indoors, at least two square meters (about 21 square feet) for two to four animals; outdoors, at least four square meters (about 43 square feet) for three to four animals, with protection from heat and cold. With good care, guinea pigs can live outdoors all year round.
No. When you pick guinea pigs up, they usually hold still because they're scared, not because they're enjoying it.
Source of the general facts: Deutscher Tierschutzbund e. V. (German Animal Welfare Federation), guinea pig fact sheet (Cavia porcellus).
Summer outside, winter in the house
Our four spend the summer in a roomy outdoor enclosure with grass, shady spots, little wooden houses, a hay rack and a food bowl. As soon as fall comes, they move into a big enclosure in a quiet part of the house. The four of them always stay together, there's always hay, and we only pick them up when we have to.
Questions about guinea pigs
How long do guinea pigs live?
About six to eight years, according to the German Animal Welfare Federation. Good care, plenty of hay and company all help.
Why are guinea pigs called Meerschweinchen in German?
Nobody knows for sure. The usual explanation goes like this: Meerschweinchen means something like “little sea pigs.” They came to Europe across the sea with sailors about 400 years ago, and their squeaking and round bodies reminded people of little pigs. Mr. Grey would say: there's a story behind the name and a reason behind the squeak.
What's the German word for guinea pig?
Meerschweinchen. That's why the Business Guinea Pigs are called Die Wirtschaftsschweinchen in the German text of our bilingual books, and The Business Guinea Pigs in the English. Where the English word guinea pig comes from is just as uncertain as the German one.
Can guinea pigs live alone?
No. Guinea pigs are social animals and should only be kept in groups. A rabbit is no substitute for another guinea pig. That's why our four always live together, outside in summer and inside the house in winter.
Can guinea pigs stay outside in winter?
According to the German Animal Welfare Federation, guinea pigs that are housed properly and well cared for can live outdoors all year round, as long as their enclosure protects them from heat and cold. We still bring our four into big winter quarters inside the house. You can see what that looks like in the post about their winter quarters.
Guinea pig coloring pages
Two single coloring pages with Rocky and Toffy are free in the FLITCH Club. The whole coloring book about money, with 20 pictures, costs €4.90 in the FLITCH shop.
See the coloring pages